Kilmarnock v Motherwell: Rory McKeown seeks to kick-start career at Rugby Park under Shiels

"I knew Kenny as a kid," he said. "He was the county development officer for Antrim. He brought me into that programme and he was always good to me."

That football education helped McKeown progress to Northern Ireland honours and a scholarship with Ipswich, where he played reserve team football but was realeased at the end of last season.

Shiels was quick to offer him what turned out to be a successful trial and McKeown marked his first senior appearance with a thunderous swerving strike from more than 30 yards as the Ayrshire side kicked off their SPL season with a 1-1 draw at Dundee United last Sunday.

"I was disappointed not to get a pro contract with Ipswich, but Kenny has given me a deal and I can't complain. I know I'm good enough so I can hopefully impress Kenny enough to give me regular games in the first team.

"The way Kilmarnock play their football isn't done much up in Scotland. I like to get on the ball so hopefully I can fit right in.

"I like the way we played on Sunday, good passing and possession, it's a breath of fresh air." The style of play came as no surprise to McKeown given his past connections with Shiels.

"He was the same," McKeown said. "Any time you kicked it long you would get shouted at. He was always like that."

Kilmarnock today play host to Motherwell, whose manager Stuart McCall has dismissed reports that Jamie Murphy is the subject of enquiries from a host of English Premier League clubs.

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Murphy scored as Motherwell started their season with a 3-0 win over Inverness - watched by scouts from clubs such as Tottenham, Stoke, West Brom and Birmingham.

However, McCall said: "I can categorically state we have not had one enquiry for Jamie, regardless of what one or two people have said. I'm sure if he has a really good start with us he can force himself into the Scotland set-up.

"He's enjoying his football, he's playing regularly and playing really well," the former Scotland midfielder said.

"We don't encourage interest. We expect it because he's a good player. But we certainly don't want to lose anybody. He is a level-headed lad, a great kid to work with. It won't affect him but I wish people would report the facts and not speculation."